West Lincoln shortstop Britnee Smith is planning a softballfuture with the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves. Smithsigned a scholarship with Co-Lin Monday morning, during a ceremonyin the West Lincoln Learning Center.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and playing softballfor Co-Lin,” said Smith. “I like fastpitch because you’re alwaysmoving.”

Smith, 5-foot-5, is the daughter of Mickey and Dana Smith. Sheplayed Franklin County Dixie Youth Baseball for her father untilshe was nine years old. Her mother coaches softball at FranklinCounty High School, slowpitch and fastpitch.

Asked about her future, Smith said she wants to eventually teachand coach. At West Lincoln she also plays basketball, helping theLady Bears to the Class 1A state tournament the last twoseasons.

In slowpitch last season, Smith batted .478 for Coach AndrewRedd’s squad. In fastpitch, she batted .250.

“Britnee has played six years for us,” said Redd. “She’s verycoachable; always ready to listen and try to improve. She has thebest work ethic I’ve seen.

“Britnee has a strong arm and she does a super job atshortstop,” Redd continued. “She’s a quick learner, too.”

Redd said Smith might be used some as a pitcher and catcher infastpitch this spring. At Co-Lin, she’ll join former West Lincolnteammate/catcher Lauren Smith, The DAILY LEADER’s 2005 All-AreaFastpitch Player of the Year.

Britnee Smith played every summer with Coach Ricky Allen’sLincoln Lumber softball team. They won the 2004 USSSA Under-16World Series crown.

Co-Lin softball coach Allen Kent said he was looking forward tohaving Smith join his team next fall. He already has signed AshleySykes of Brookhaven and Emily Langley of Brookhaven Academy thisspring. Bogue Chitto pitcher/shortstop Meleah Brown is scheduled tosign with the Lady Wolves this week.

“Britnee has got good defensive instincts and soft hands,” saidKent. “She also has a strong throwing arm. She’s got pretty goodbat speed and the potential to really develop some pop in herbat.

“We are looking for Britnee to play the infield, but feel she isversatile enough to play the outfield and maybe work some behindthe plate, too.”

Kent’s Lady Wolves make their 2006 debut Feb. 21, hostingMississippi Delta Community College. He said that under new MACJCrecruiting guidelines, each member school will be allowed to signfour out-of-state players.